By Ethan Caldwell 
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced sweeping changes to the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Friday, including the temporary appointment of a federal police commissioner and the immediate rescission of all D.C. sanctuary city policies. The measures, enacted under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Wednesday, aim to address rising crime rates and align D.C. policing with federal immigration enforcement priorities.
Effective immediately, Attorney General Bondi has appointed Robert J. Contee III, a former MPD chief, as the interim federal police commissioner to oversee the department’s operations. Current MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith will transition to an advisory role, with her authority significantly curtailed as the Department of Justice (DOJ) assumes direct oversight of the MPD for a 90-day emergency period. This marks the first time in modern history that the federal government has taken such control over D.C.’s local police force.
The executive order also terminates D.C.’s sanctuary city policies, which had previously limited cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Bondi stated, “Sanctuary policies have hindered our ability to keep communities safe. By integrating D.C. police operations with federal efforts, we will crack down on violent crime and ensure compliance with immigration laws.” The DOJ has directed the MPD to prioritize cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain and deport individuals identified as undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activity.
The move follows a surge in violent crime in the District, with homicides up 12% and robberies increasing 18% in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to DOJ data. Attorney General Bondi cited these statistics as justification for the emergency intervention, emphasizing that the measures are intended to restore public safety and rebuild trust in law enforcement.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and local officials have expressed strong opposition, arguing that the federal takeover undermines the District’s autonomy and could strain community-police relations. “This is an overreach that disregards the will of D.C. residents,” Bowser said in a statement. Community advocates, including immigrant rights groups, have raised concerns about potential profiling and the impact on vulnerable populations.
The DOJ has committed to providing additional resources to the MPD, including federal funding for officer training and technology upgrades, to support the transition. A public report on the progress of these measures will be released by November 15, 2025, with a review to determine whether federal oversight will continue beyond the initial 90-day period.
Dale Chaucer 
Andreas Lundberg 
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